SNP MINISTER Shona Robison has called on Kate Forbes to provide clarity on her views around abortion, saying it is “fundamental” to have a first minister who will support women’s reproductive rights.
The Social Justice Secretary, who is backing Humza Yousaf’s bid for the leadership, said Forbes should set out her position on supporting buffer zones and provision of early medical abortion at home.
It comes as a letter signed by more than 150 SNP women, who are supporting Yousaf, warned any doubt over the party’s position on the issues could result in a loss of support and undermining the rights of women to access essential healthcare services.
Forbes has previously said she is committed to defending the right to have an abortion and that women should not “be subjected to fear and harassment” when attending abortion clinics.
Robison said: “I am not clear what her position is on buffer zones, I am also not clear on whether or not she would have supported the early medical abortion at home, what her view on that is.
“I know she is clearly not pro-choice and for me these issues are fundamentally important.
Robison said Yousaf had been clear in his support for reproductive rights, including buffer zones and early medical abortion at home.
“I want to know that we have a first minister that will support the rights of women in terms of bodily autonomy in terms of reproductive rights, that for me is a fundamental issue,” she added.
She said she had been “overwhelmed” by the response after organising the letter, which has been signed by elected members, councillors and branch members.
Over 150 SNP women have signed a letter collectively calling for their reproductive rights to be advanced and defended by any future leader and First Minister #HumzaForScotland https://t.co/gQa7NUGChr
— Shona Robison MSP (@ShonaRobison) March 8, 2023
It states: “At this critical time, the SNP must decide whether we continue to champion these values that have put us on the global map as a progressive nation, or if we allow a more socially conservative outlook to come to the fore.
“Women in Scotland need to know that their hard-won reproductive rights are safe in SNP hands.
“Women need to know that we will protect anyone seeking abortion from being judged, intimidated or threatened on their way into hospitals or sexual health centres, by making an unequivocal commitment to support the creation of buffer zones.”
It went on: “Women need to know that such services will continue to be funded through our NHS. Women need to know that their first minister has their backs and will not only defend but continue to promote such rights.
“Any doubt of our position on these crucial issues and we will not only lose our party support but could potentially undermine the rights of women to access essential healthcare services that they previously thought secure under an SNP government.”
Forbes’s campaign has been contacted for comment.
